Media statement: Basic education authorities have not convincingly demonstrated that all schools will be provided with the necessary resources and support to reopen next Wednesday
29 April 2020
This morning the Department of Basic Education (DBE) presented its Covid-19 sector plan to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. Equal Education (EE), the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) and Section27 are deeply concerned that the basic education authorities have not convincingly demonstrated that the list of non-negotiables to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will be in place by next Wednesday.
The DBE today presented plans on its broad intentions, but failed to provide crucial detail on what is actually in place. Many questions remain about how basic education authorities will ensure that schools in poor and working class communities are prepared to mitigate against the health risks, and are able to support the learning of children who have been (and continue to be) unable to learn from home due to factors such as lack of access to the internet, to devices, or to electricity.
National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP)
It is deeply disappointing that the DBE has failed to present any plans on the implications of the phased reopening of schools on the national school nutrition programme (NSNP) - both for learners returning to schools and those remaining at home.